An hour passed for a sign of humans to appear. Roderick heard some engines roar on the street. Then he heard some people making noises.
From the place where Adam had left, a group of armed men wearing Kevlars and Helmets came towards him. The first thing those men noticed was the corpse missing a piece of neck.
“I couldn’t save him.” Roderick put his hand on his forehead.
The officer came to him, opening the visor of his helmet, “I am Raphael. And I am here to rescue you.”
Raphael gave him his hand to stand up, and the officers took Roderick in their jeep. Roderick watched Raphael and his team conduct a prayer before burying them by chopping arms and limbs of the corpse. They buried different body parts in different pits when they were done.
After the burial, they took Roderick for a bumpy ride through the forest.
End of drive brought them to a place resembling an army camp where people were running around wearing camouflaged clothes. Some held guns while some held stretchers. But everyone looked to be in a rush.
“Can you walk, Mr?” Raphael asked.
“Roderick.” He answered.
“Any patient here?” A doctor came running towards their jeep.
“This gentleman says he is fine.” Raphael pointed at Roderick.
Doctor didn’t look convinced.
“You have become pale.” Doctor watched Roderick while he was climbing down from the jeep.
S***! I am losing skin colour.
“I am fine.” Roderick mumbled.
“No, you don’t.” Doctor said.
Roderick couldn’t take his eyes off the stethoscope hanging on doctor’s neck.
“Come with me.” Doctor put his hand on his back, “I will do some check up on you.”
Everyone was looking at him, so he did not refuse the doctor and went along with him.
“I can spot ill guys.” Doctor took him to a room and set a table for him.
Roderick sat in confusion. Doctor put the stethoscope in his ear, then stretched its end towards Roderick’s chest.
“Please don’t.” Roderick resisted.
“Why?”
“I feel ticklish by that.”
“Alright then. I will check your body temperature instead, sir.” Doctor took out a thermometer.
“I am not feverish.”
“You have become pale. I doubt you have very low blood pressure.” Doctor said and wrapped the Velcro strap on his arm before Roderick could think of any excuse.
Doctor started pumping air in and fixed his eyes on the indicator.
